Toamasina

Introduction

Toamasina, on the eastcoast of Madagascar, also known by its French name of Tamatave is a badly decaying seaside resort with wide boulevards so badly potholed you would think there had been a war here. It rains a lot too and often the roads appear more like rivers than anything else. The long stretch of beach is uninviting and home to many Zebu (Madagascan hump backed cows) and youths playing football.On the plus side though it has a relaxed and laid back feel and no matter how much you hate it, you will be sad to leave. Such is the way of the Malagasy people who have an inane ability to put a smile on your face.

Sights and Activities

Take a taxi to Parc Zoologique Ivoloina, a beautiful and well run zoo where they run a captive breeding programme for endangered species and a halfway house for Lemurs being reintroduced to the wild. Many of the Lemurs are free running in the park but feeding is not allowed! Others are in very large enclosures and here you will find species that are hard to see in the wild including the beautiful Blue Eyed Black Lemur (Eulemur macaco flavifrons). Also here you will find tree boas, tomato frogs and tortoises. Take a picnic and make a day of it. Taxis will take you there, wait and bring you back. Again, watch the prices.

There is a good craft market where you can pick up cheap solitaire sets with marbles made from semi-precious stones and beautiful baskets.

From Toamasina you can book a trip down the Canal de Pangalanes, over to Ile St Marie or head north to the Masaola Peninsula (by plane).

Weather

Toamasina has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather year round. Temperatures average around 30 degrees Celsius during the summermonths of November to March, around 25 from June to August. Nights are between 23 and 17 degrees Celsiusrespectively. As Toamasina is located along the eastcoast, there isn't a real dry season, but the second half tends to be somewhat less wet. From December to May averge montly rainfall is around 350 mm. Hurricanes are possible this time of year as well.

Getting There

By Boat

Getting Around

Getting around is by one of the hundreds of pousse-pousse, hand drawn rickshaws. Check the price before you get in and bargain hard. There is always one price for locals and a zillion different ones for 'Vazar's', white travellers, depending on how affluent they feel you are.